Shakira and her sons weren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for the Barbie movie. “My sons absolutely hated it. They felt that it was emasculating. And I agree, to a certain extent,” Shakira, 47, said in an Allure cover story published on Monday, April 1. “I’m raising two boys. I want ‘em to feel powerful too [while] respecting women.”
The vocalist, who co-parents her two sons, Milan, aged 11, and Sasha, aged 9, with former partner Gerard Piqué, expressed her appreciation for pop culture that uplifts women while also allowing men to “protect and provide.”
Premiering in July 2023, the movie traces Barbie’s transition from Barbie Land to the human realm, where the beloved doll (portrayed by Margot Robbie) and Ken (played by Ryan Gosling) discover the stark differences in women’s lives shaped by societal norms, far beyond the realm of toy horses. The film grossed over $1 billion worldwide and secured an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
“I believe in giving women all the tools and the trust that we can do it all without losing our essence, without losing our femininity,” she said. “I think that men have a purpose in society and women have another purpose as well. We complement each other, and that complement should not be lost.”
Shakira expanded on her thoughts by asking, “Why not share the load with people who deserve to carry it, who have a duty to carry it as well?”
READ MORE
Trump’s Truth Social Stock Takes A Dive Shortly After IPO Debut
Over the past few years, the Grammy winner has experienced a series of significant life changes. In June 2022, after 12 years of being together, Shakira and Piqué, aged 37, parted ways. Following their separation, Shakira relocated from Barcelona to Miami with her sons, seeking a new beginning. Earlier this year, Shakira candidly discussed the sacrifices she has made throughout her career to prioritize her family.
“For a long time I put my career on hold, to be next to Gerard [Piqué], so he could play football,” she said to The Sunday Times in March. “There was a lot of sacrifice for love.”
Apart from tending to her sons, Shakira is embarking on a comeback to the music scene with a new album following a seven-year break. While working on her 12th studio album, set for release later this month, Shakira expressed her delight at the unwavering support she received from her children as she pursued her aspirations.
“They understand how important making music is for me, how important it is to remain productive, to feel relevant in society, to find your own place in the community,” Shakira shared in an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe in March. “They are really great at understanding that and supporting me.”
Shakira admitted to feeling “guilt” in the past when faced with the choice between motherhood and her career. However, she now approaches life balance with a changed perspective.
“Now, it feels totally different. Even though it’s more challenging because now I’m in charge of these two kids, these two babies that depend on me so much,” she said to Lowe. And I’m a single mother, I don’t have a husband at home to help out with anything.”
ALSO READ
Florida Court Greenlights 6-Week Abortion Ban, Voter Determination Expected
